Norrington Mahler 2 ...

[HARPER_JT]

Nothing is left to chance in this new recording from Roger Norrington....no vibrato ! Norrington claims that by restoring Mahler's long forgotten and lost original bowing, he's found the key to the tempo of the piece. Isn't this somewhat misleading ? Does this not just affect how softly one bows rather than how the tempo changes ? Does this really matter anyhow ?
Coupled with the fact that Herbert Borodkin, violist with the New York Philharmonic from 1904-09, recalled that Mahler "used a lot more vibrato than most conductors do today. He insisted on it. He asked for it. When you played a melodic tune, you would have to use a lot of vibrato and sing, as he called it."
Is Norrington not on a fool's errand ? I admit the recording sounds very different, quite unique in fact, but curiously airless and characterless. After all, who wants well-behaved Mahler ?

[bhodges]

Interesting, I hadn't heard of this recording, but here's a review.  Can't comment on the use of vibrato, but I will agree that in general, "well-behaved Mahler" is not what I'd seek out.

--Bruce

[mahlertitan]

Nothing is left to chance in this new recording from Roger Norrington....no vibrato ! Norrington claims that by restoring Mahler's long forgotten and lost original bowing, he's found the key to the tempo of the piece. Isn't this somewhat misleading ? Does this not just affect how softly one bows rather than how the tempo changes ? Does this really matter anyhow ?
Coupled with the fact that Herbert Borodkin, violist with the New York Philharmonic from 1904-09, recalled that Mahler "used a lot more vibrato than most conductors do today. He insisted on it. He asked for it. When you played a melodic tune, you would have to use a lot of vibrato and sing, as he called it."
Is Norrington not on a fool's errand ? I admit the recording sounds very different, quite unique in fact, but curiously airless and characterless. After all, who wants well-behaved Mahler ?

but that's what Norrington does, he always goes for the "unique" sound, if you are so dissatisfied with it, go get Mehta.

[HARPER_JT]

Which one, the VPO or the Israel PO ?

[mahlertitan]

Which one, the VPO or the Israel PO ?

with the Wiener Philharmoniker of course!

[HARPER_JT]

How highly would you rate this version ? Over Solti/LSO ? I am not so sure about the Rattle now that I have heard the Bertini.

[mahlertitan]

the Mehta WP version 5/5 stars, if i were to only own ONE Mahler 2nd, i would pick this one.